What Do Babies and Toddler Sleep In As Pajamas?

Occasionally, we have clients email us with what they think is a “silly” question. They want to know what we recommend by way of pajamas, sleep sacks, etc. for babies and toddlers. In fact, we think this is such a good question that we decided to write a blog article about it!

Now, remember that it is probably rare that babies are not dressed warmly enough as we, new parents, tend to be overly worried our babies will be cold. But, babies can be dressed TOO warmly just the same as not warmly enough.

That said, here are some general guidelines in what babies sleep in at various ages, but you do have to use your best judgment based on where you live, how hot/cold you keep the temperature in your house when your baby sleeps, and your baby’s preference (some will prefer to be warmer than others), among other factors. These are just guidelines and you know your baby best.

What Should Newborns Wear To Bed?

In general, you do not want to dress your newborn too warmly to sleep, because consider that he or she will likely be swaddled, too, so that is an added layer or in a car seat like I mentioned my son above. Not only could it make your baby uncomfortable, but it also increases the risk of SIDS (note that using a fan can decrease the risk by 72%). Think about layers at every age, because if he or she feels too warm, you can simply remove one layer at night. If she spits up on the outer layer, depending on severity, you can simply replace the outer layer, too.

For newborns who are swaddled, I recommend a onesie underneath a light sleep-and-play outfit (long-sleeve in the winter and short-sleeve in the summer). In the summer, you can probably skip the footed outfit or socks, but in the winter, you may want to keep them on. If your newborn is no longer swaddled, read below.

What Do Babies Wear To Bed?

Once your newborn has grown up a bit and you are trying to stop swaddling your baby, you can dress your baby the same as a newborn, but then consider a sleep sack, instead of the swaddle. It is a wearable blanket and is safer than putting a loose, thick blanket in the crib with baby, before she has the fine motor skills she needs to keep it off her head. In the summer, depending on the temperature of your house, you may want to skip the sleep sack or blanket all together. Babies sleep better in a cooler temperature, approximately 68-70 degrees, so you don’t want them too warm. For most people (though not me), our body temperature drops at night in order to lead to a better night’s sleep.

What Do Toddlers Wear To Bed?

One important thing with toddlers is that when they are TOO warm when they sleep, they are more prone to night terrors and nightmares. So, you do want to make sure your toddler is warm enough at night, but not too warm, just like your baby. Skin should be comfortable to the touch and even a little cool, but not cold/frigid. Even when your toddler can talk, it isn’t always something they can express as to why they are waking at night. Sometimes we have to be detectives (at least I’ve felt that way).

More and more people are continuing to use sleep sacks into the toddler years, so this is still an option. They make wearable blankets that allow your toddler to walk in them and then you don’t have to worry about him keeping the covers on at night. The Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag is made from Merino Wool, which regulates your toddler’s body heat, so he won’t wake up too hot or too cold. They do make a baby’s sleep bag, too, that helps to regulate your baby’s temperature. There are also toddler sleep sacks that have legs for your toddler’s feet to go through, so he can walk while wearing the blanket.

If you and/or your toddler do not like a wearable blanket or sleep sack, you can expect your toddler to keep the covers on sometime after three or four years old, usually. There are probably a few two year olds who will keep them on, learn to replace them on their own early, or simply don’t move too much at night, but generally, we expect 3 and 4 year olds to continue to call for you at night to replace the covers. If your toddler is going to repeatedly call you in the middle of the night to be covered up, we recommend dressing her more warmly, so she doesn’t need the covers on at all and that way once the covers come off, it won’t matter. In the winter, consider fleece pajamas or putting a t-shirt on underneath cotton pajamas, for example, plus socks, if your toddler is prone to being cold.

What does/did your baby or toddler wear to bed? Did your baby or toddler prefer to sleep in certain kinds of pajamas? Scroll down to share tips, to ask questions, and to hear from other parents just like you!

Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links where the company receives a small percentage of sales, but this is at no cost to you. We do not recommend products unless we believe they benefit parents or your baby’s sleep.

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Comments

Hannah H.says

My 11 months old wears a Zipadee-zip!

Daniellesays

Hi Hannah, thanks for your comment! We love the Zipadees – so many of the families we work with find transitioning out of the swaddle a lot easier with something like the Zipadee. Thanks for reading!

Tammysays

My infant son slept in a short sleeve onsie and a muslin sleep sack from Aden and Anais. We don’t have air conditioning and the natural fibers and lightweight worked great for regulating his temp without over heating.

I’ve been contemplating what to put him in now that the weather is cooling down. Thanks for this post!

Daniellesays

Hi Tammy,
Those muslin sleep sacks are so wonderful for hot weather! I’m glad you found something that worked for you, and also to hear that our article was helpful for you as we move into the winter. Thanks for reading and commenting!